Letter: Ideas to prevent drunken driving

A police car at night. Photo Credit: iStock

The latest vehicular deaths caused by drunken drivers hit home the other day when my 20-year-old son expressed concern about driving his girlfriend home one night ["Traffic on the North Fork," News, Aug. 2]. He was afraid that a drunken driver could hit and kill them.

It's critical that our politicians attack this epidemic from multiple angles. Increased police surveillance is just one approach. We know, though, that police cannot be everywhere. No doubt, consequences for drunken driving must be increased.

In addition to punitive measures, we need to offer incentives for people to not drive drunk. I suggest that bars and restaurants throughout the Island form partnerships with car services, and offer discounts to patrons who have a designated driver.

The owners of these establishments need to understand that being proactive will eventually be good for business.